Deer carcasses being dumped in public rivers

For many hunters in North Carolina, hunting deer is more than a favorite pastime; it’s also filled with responsibility — after the hunt.

For most successful hunters, this means a trip to a local deer processor who takes the deer and reduces it to packages of venison.

Recently, some have been dumping their deer carcass along local, county, or state roads.

Some deer carcasses have been appearing in streams or rivers. The decomposing carcass bacteria can seep into the watershed that feeds into Elkin’s drinking supply.

That can cause a human health risk.

And although town officials are monitoring the levels and say Elkin’s drinking water is safe, they’re not taking anything for granted.

“The water in the Town of Elkin is safe, and we can assure the public of that,” said town Manager Lloyd Payne. “However, there are some hunters in the area that decide they want to dispose of carcasses of dead animals in a way that could disrupt the integrity of our water source, and we would ask that hunters be responsible and dispose of dead animal carcasses in a way that’s prescribed by the state of North Carolina.”

The chronic problem of improper deer carcass dumping has gotten the attention of North Carolina’s Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement unit.

In North Carolina, improper dumping on its roadways, rivers, streams, or on private property without the landowner’s consent could yield a misdemeanor violation with hefty fines.

Officials say, after the kill, the solution is simple.

“We recommend disposing of the byproduct by digging a pit in which the deer carcass is placed, composting is another option, double-bagging the remains and taking it to a landfill, or leaving it to nature as long as it’s out-of-sight and nowhere near water,” said Brown.